Process and apparatus for the treatment of textiles materials

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to a process and apparatus for the heat-treatment of textile materials, particularly those materials which are only slightly or not permeable to air when in a wet condition. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a process and apparatus for producing a steam cushion at the surface of the material being treated, said material being conveyed on the surface of sieve drum means.

United States Patent 1 Fleissner et al.

[451 Apr. 17,1973

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF TEXTILES MATERIALS Inventors: Heinz Fleissner, Egelsbach; Erich Feess, Lorsbach; Wilhelm Gahlert,

Hofheim, all of Germany Assignees: Vepa AG, Basel, Switzerland; Farbwerke Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft normals Meister Lucius of Bruning,

F rankfurt/Main, Germany Filed: Feb. 3, 1969 Appl. No.: 795,993

Foreign Application Priority Data Feb.;3, 1968 Germany .P 17 10509.8

[1.8. CI ..34/115 Int. Cl ..F26b 11/02 Field of Search ..34/4, 41, 115, 1; 219/405,:111, 349; 26/1 N References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS v 9/1967 Carroll, Jr. ..34/115 X 3,445,947 5/1969 Fleissner ..34/1l5 X 2,209,760 7/ l 940 Berry ..34/1 15 3,570,137 3/1971 Fleissner ..34/1 15 1,802,407 4/1931 Danninger et al. ..219/349 X 3,237,314 3/1966 Smith, Jr. ..34/4 3,510,955 5/1970 Fleissner..... ...34/1l5 X 3,510,959 5/1970 Fleissner ..34/1 15 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain ..34/1

Primary Examiner-Kenneth W. Sprague Attorney--Craig, Antonelli & Hill [57] ABSTRACT The present disclosure is directed to a process and apparatus for the heat-treatment of textile materials, particularly those materials which are only slightly or not permeable to air when in a wet condition. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a process and apparatus for producing a steam cushion at the surface of the material being treated, said material being conveyed on the surface of sieve drum means.

21 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures,

PATENTEDAPR 1 7197s 7, 325

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6 l ooor 5 o o ia o viOO O/Q 0000 ocoo ll/ //////I ///7 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF TEXTILES MATERIALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION lengths of textile material, utilizing at least one convey ing means, for example sieve drum means subjected to a suction draft. Said sieve drum means is preferably covered with at least one wire mesh and is provided with at least one interior stationary baffle means which interrupts the suction draft at at least a portion of the sieve drum jacket.

Devices for drying, heat-setting and steaming materials of all types, particularly textile materials, using sieve drums subjected to a suction draft as conveying means are well known. In these devices, the treatment medi um is drawn through the textile material. These devices are particularly advantageous for processing materials which are permeable to air. However, there are many materials which are only slightly or not permeable to air when wet, for example skins or fabrics of rayon staple, and particularly lining fabrics or materials which are coated with substances which are impermeable to air.

SUMMARY OF. THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to avoid the prior art disadvantages in the heat-treatment of materials, particularly the steam-treatment of textile materials.

Another objectof the present invention is to provide an improved process and apparatus for the treatment of textile materials which are only slightly or not permeable to air when in the wet condition.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved process and apparatus for the treatment of textile materials which, up to now, could not at all or only with difficulty be treated on devices using sieve drums subjected to a suction draft.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved process and apparatus for fixing dyestuffs on textile materials, said dyestuffs being usuallyjfixed in a steam atmosphereor at least partially fixed in a steam atmosphere.

Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter; it should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spiritand scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Pursuant to the present invention, it has been found that the abovementioned disadvantages may be eliminated and a much improved process and apparatus for the heattreatment, particularly the steamtreatment of textile materials may be obtained by adapting conveying means, particularly sieve drum means subjected to a suction draft to the treatment of textile materials which are only slightly or not permeable to air when in the wet condition. This can be effected by not only exposing the material being treated to a gaseous treatment medium but also by utilizing ad ditional heating means, for example infrared radiation. Accordingly, it is therefore suggested to surround at least one sieve drum means, preferably the first sieve drum means with infrared radiators at that side of the sieve drum means which is covered with the material being treated. Advantageously, the conveying means used in the present invention are sieve drum means subjected'to a suction draft. Sieve drum means are the preferred conveying means because the material being processed can be held to and guided on the sieve drums without producing creases and tension in the material being treated.

The apparatus of the present invention can be effectively used for fixing dyestuffs on textile materials, said dyestuffs being usually fixed in a steam atmosphere or at least partially fixed in a steam atmosphere. The dyestuffs are applied by pad-dyeing or printing possibly together with other dyestuffs and/or thickeners and other common auxiliary agents. The textile material is then fed onto the conveying means, for example a sieve drum means, which is surrounded by infrared radiators, said sieve drum being subjected to a suction draft only within two narrow ranges at the inlet and discharge side of the suction drum. To effect the desired flow of the treatment medium, the suction draft is interrupted by stationary baffle means disposed at the remaining portions of the sieve drum jacket, so that, as a result of the infrared radiation, a steam cushion is formed on the material being treated. The suction draft at the inlet side and at the material discharge side of the drum is sufficient for holding the material to the sieve drum safely and without producing creases therein, even at high operating speeds. The sieve drum proper may also serve as a draw-off element which draws thematerial I length out of a printing unit, a padder, a doctor device or another applicating means. This is of special importance in printing processes because behind the printing unit the printed surface should not come into contact with any conveying or guiding element before the dyestuffs are dried or set. The apparatus of the present invention is also suitable for heat-setting dyestuffs in a two-bath method wherein the material to which the dyestuffs have been applied and on which they have been dried is passed through a second bowl containing vat or developer liquid and then on to the sieve drum which is surrounded with infrared radiators. Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention can also be employed for fiber setting, for example for setting polyamide knit goods which expediently should be set in a steam atmosphere. In this case, no steamtight housing with complicated steam control means is required as in the case of the common steamers.

In order to avoid scorching or overdrying of the material in case of sudden stoppages, it is suggested to provide a rotating device between the sieve drum and the infrared radiators said device comprising baffles which are arranged at a distance from each other, concentrically around the sieve drum. The baffies are provided with a drive and control mechanism which pushes them in front of the infrared radiators and simultaneously switches off the radiators if the sieve drum is stopped. In addition, and if necessary, a blower may be provided which blows fresh air against the material which rests on the sieve drum. Also, the stationary bafi'les which are arranged in the sieve drum may be designed as shutter plates, which, in case of stoppages, are opened by means of a suitable mechanism, so that the whole drum can be subjected to a suction draft permitting fresh air to be drawn through the material being treated.

As already mentioned, the apparatus of the present invention can also be used for setting textile material, for example a polyamide, which is usually set in a steam atmosphere, if the suction draft at that side of the sieve drum which is covered with the material being treated is substantially eliminated or limited by means of baffle plates. In such a situation, the moisture which is evaporated from the material remains as a steam layer on and in the material. Depending on the intensity of the infrared radiation and the reaction time, the steam layer is heated up to a certain temperature. Measurements have shown that it is very possible to produce a steam cushion of superheated steam, for example at a temperature of about 150 to 200C. In order to obtain a certain final width of the textile material lengths which are subjected to a treatment in which they shrink considerably, it is furthermore suggested to provide tensioning element, for example pin chains for holding the material in a tentered condition on or around the sieve drum.

For drying, for example materials which are not permeable or only slightly permeable to air when wet, it

is advantageous to surround at least the first sieve drum with infrared radiators and to arrange behind said sieve drum one or more sieve drums which are subjected to a suctiondraft or to a positive pressure but which are not provided with infrared radiators. However, it is also possible to surround all of the sieve drums with infrared radiators. In order to render it possible to adapt such a device to an individual treatment process, it is suggested to combine the radiators into groups and to provide means for switching each individual group on and off, separately. In this case, it is possible to provide, for example only the first or last sieve drum or only part of the treatment path on one sieve drum with infrared radiation. This is a particular advantage for devices using one sieve drum of large diameter, for example a diameter of about 2 to m.

Also, it has been found to be advantageous, in accordance with the present invention, to equip a sieve drum steaming device with infrared radiators, for example for dyeing polyester-cotton blends. In this case the cotton component is dyed with dyestuffs which are fixed in a saturated steam atmosphere and the polyester component of the blend is dyed with dyestuffs which are fixed under the influence of high temperatures in a superheated steam or hot air atmosphere, for example with disperse dyestuffs. For such treatments, it is suggested to provide the apparatus of the present invention with a steam-tight housing and with a device for producing and maintaining a steam atmosphere, under normal pressure, in the housing. Such a device can, according to the present invention, be employed for steaming and for drying. For example the steaming treatment can be effected on the first sieve drum and drying can be achieved on the other sieve drums which are subjected to a suction draft or to a positive (excess) pressure or blowing effect. However, with such a device, it is also possible to treat the material first with saturated steam and then, on the subsequent sieve drums with superheated steam, by switching on the infrared radiation. Also, for pure drying processes, such a device can be used with advantage. The material can be dried down by infrared radiation until it is more permeable to air and then can be finally dried on sieve drums subjected to a suction draft. Also, for skin drying, the combined use of hot air and infrared radiation is advantageous, at least in the first drying phase, thereby substantially reducing the drying times. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein,

FIG. 1 is a section of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2-is a longitudinal section of a treatment apparatus using a plurality of sieve drum means,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a sieve drum means;

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows the switching system for controlling the radiators, and

FIG. 6 shows the use of a tentering means in conjunction with the sieve drum means;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the arrangement between the radiant heaters means and the shutter means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the various views to designate like parts, the apparatus of the present invention comprises, according to FIG. 1, a sieve drum means 1 subjected to a suction draft, said sieve drum means being adapted to be covered with a wire mesh. In the sieve drum stationary baffles 2 are arranged so that the suction draft is only effective at a material feeding side 3 and at a material discharge side 4. Around the sieve drum infrared radiators 5 are arranged for heating up textile material lengths 6. By the evaporation of the liquid in the material a steam cushion is formed on and in the textile material 6 which serves for setting the fiber and/or the dyestuff. In order to obtain a certain final width of the textile material lengths which are subjected to a treatment in which they shrink considerably, it is further suggested to provide tensioning elements 26, for example pin chains 27, for holding the material 6 in a tentered condition on or around the sieve drum. Between the sieve drum 1 and the infrared radiators 5 a shutter member consisting of individual sheets 7 is arranged so that said sheets are automatically rotated in front of the infrared radiators 5 in case of stoppages. Thus damage to the material as a result of the after-glowing of the infrared radiators is avoided. Alternatively, the individual sheets may be disposed directly in front of the infrared radiators and merely pivoted when a stoppage occurs. On the other side of the infrared radiators, baffle means 10 are provided for directing the heat eminating from the radiators toward the material being treated. In addition, and if necessary, a blower 21 may be provided which blows fresh air against the material which rests on the sieve drum. At the material discharge side 4 a deflectorroller 8 is provided over which the material is conveyed, for example to a plating device 9. The sieve drum as well as the other parts shown are laterally supported in two uprights. The sieve drum drive and the suction device which subjects the sieve drum to a suction draft are also mounted to one of these uprights.

In the ,device according to .FIG. 2, several sieve drums l which are staggered to each other are provided, however, the sieve drums may also be arranged in a single line in a well known'way. This device has a heat-insulated housing 11 which, similarly as shown in FIG. 3, is subdivided by means of a longitudinal partition intoa treatment chamber in which the sieve drums lare located and into a fan chamber in which the fans 13 are arranged. A heating system 14 is correlated to the fans.- Above and beneath the sieve drums l, sieve sheets 15 are arranged which serve for equalizing the flowconditions to the sieve drum means. A drum drive 16 and a fan drive 17 to which a variable gear 18 is correlated, are mounted to the housing 11, so that by varying the speed themost favorable suction draft for the respective treatment process and/or the respective material canbe established. In the device according to FIG. 2, a shutter baffle 2 is correlated to the first drum in addition to thestandard baffle, so that the drum side which is covered with the material can, at option, be subjected tothe suction .draft or alternatively, the suetion draft can be interrupted. In this device, the textile material. lengths are fed over an intake conveyor belt 19 and are discharged over a slide 20.

The design of a steaming device isof similar construction. For the, generation of steam, a heated sump 22 with steam tubes 23 may be provided at the bottom of the housing and/or live steam may be injected into said h ousing through steamspraying tubes 24.

v It isadvantageous that you surround the first sieve drum with,infrared radiators. However, it is also possible to surround all of the sieve drums with infrared radiators, lnorder to render it possible to adapt such a device t'o an individual treatment process, it. is suggested to combine the radiators into groups and to provide means 25 for switching each individual group on and off, separately.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the samemay be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention', and all such modifications as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are intended to be included.

It is claimed:

1. An apparatus for processing lengths of wet textile material which comprises at least one rotatable sieve drum means having a perforated conveying surface; inlet means for introducing the wet textile material to be treated onto at least. a portion of the perforated sur- 7 face of ,said sieve drum means; fan means associated with said'sieve drum means for directing a. gaseous treatment medium through the perforated surface of said sieve drum means and through the material traveling on said portion of the perforated surface; atleast one baffle means disposed in said drum means for interrupting the passage of the gaseous treatment medium at v atleast one portion of the perforated surface in contact with the textile material and radiant heating means disposed outside of said sieve drum means and operatively associated with at least a portion of saidbaffle means for heating the textile material at the beginning of its travel on said perforated surface to. evaporate the liquid contained in the material whereby the wet material on said perforated surface becomes more permeable to the passage of said gaseous treatment medium andfor heating the textile material traveling on said one portion of the perforated surface of said sieve drum means to thereby form a layer of evaporated vapor .in and at the surface of the textile material being conveyed over said one portion of the perforated surface where the treatmentmedium is interrupted.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating means are infrared radiators.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the baffle means is stationary and is arranged within said sieve drum means to interrupt the gaseous treatment-medium over substantially the entire perforated conveying surface of the sieve drum means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said baffle means is arranged so that only small portions of the conveying surface at the inlet and discharge side of the sieve drum means are subjected to the treatment medi- 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinmovable baffle means are provided around the outside and extend a distance from the perforated conveying surface of the sieve drum means, said movable bafflemeans being disposed between the perforated conveying surface of the sieve drum means andthe heating means and means for moving thebaffle means in front of the heating means upon stoppage of said sieve drum means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the baffle means include shutter plates so that the entire per-. forated conveying surface of the sieve drum means can means are disposed in a treatment housing containing additional heating means in the circulation path of the treatment medium.

10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the material being treated is introduced to and discharged from the same side of the sieve drum means and the stationary baffle means includes a small baffle means between said small portions of the conveying surface at the inlet and discharge side of said sieve drum means.

l l. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein outlet means is provided with .a deflector roller which conveys the treated material to a plating device. r

12. An apparatus for processing lengths of textile material. which comprises atleast one rotating sieve drum means having a perforated conveying surface, fan

means associated with the sieve drum means for subjecting said sieve drum means to a gaseous treatment medium'u'nder a suction draft whereby said gaseous treatment medium is drawn through said perforated conveying surface, inlet means for introducing the wet textile material to be treated to the sieve drum means, said suction draft holding said wet textile material against said perforated conveying surface, at least one stationary baffle means disposed inside the sieve drum means for interrupting the gaseous treatment medium at at least one portion of the sieve drum means, a plurality of infrared radiator heating means operatively associated with said baffle means and surrounding the outside of at least one of the sieve drum means at that one portion of its surface which is covered. with the material being treated whereby a layer of evaporated vapor is formed between the textile material and said one portion of the perforated surface where the treatment medium is interrupted, a plurality of movable baffle means concentrically positioned around and extending a distance from the perforated surface of the sieve drum means, said movable baffle means being disposed between the surface of the sieve drum means and the v radiator means.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said control means also turns off the infrared radiator means.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the moveable baffle means are disposed directly in front of the infrared radiator means and control means are provided for pivoting said baffle means, in place, from an open to a close position and vice versa.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, whereinthe stationary baffle means interrupts the treatment medium over a substantial surface of the sieve drum means.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein more than one sieve drum means is used and only the first sieve drum is provided with infrared radiator means, the remaining sieve drum means being subjected to a suction draft or a positive pressure.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein all of the sieve drum means are provided with infrared radiator means, said infrared radiator means being divided into individual groups and means are provided for separately switching said individual groups on and off.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sieve drum means are provided with a wire mesh.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sieve drum means are disposed in a steam-tight treatment chamber and means are provided for producing and maintaining a steam atmosphere.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein baffle means are provided at the back side of the infrared radiator means for directing the heat eminating from said side toward the sieve drum surface. 

1. An apparatus for processing lengths of wet textile material which comprises at least one rotatable sieve drum means having a perforated conveying surface; inlet means for introducing the wet textile material to be treated onto at least a portion of the perforated surface of said sieve drum means; fan means associated with said sieve drum means for directing a gaseous treatment medium through the perforated surface of said sieve drum means and through the material traveling on said portion of the perforated surface; at least one baffle means disposed in said drum means for interrupting the passage of the gaseous treatment medium at at least one portion of the perforated surface in contact with the textile material and radiant heating means disposed outside of said sieve drum means and operatively associated with at least a portion of said baffle means for heating the textile material at the beginning of its travel on said perforated surface to evaporate the liquid contained in the material whereby the wet material on said perforated surface becomes more permeable to the passage of said gaseous treatment medium and for heating the textile material traveling on said one portion of the perforated surface of said sieve drum means to thereby form a layer of evaporated vapor in and at the surface of the textile material being conveyed over said one portion of the perforated surface where the treatment medium is interrupted.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating means are infrared radiators.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the baffle means is stationary and is arranged within said sieve drum means to interrupt the gaseous treatment medium over substantially the entire perforated conveying surface of the sieve drum means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said baffle means is arranged so that only small portions of the conveying surface at the inlet and discharge side of the sieve drum means are subjected to the treatment medium.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein movable baffle means are provided around the outside and extend a distance from the perforated conveying surface of the sieve drum means, said movable baffle means being disposed between the perforated conveying surface of the sieve drum means and the heating means and means for moving the baffle means in front of the heating means upon stoppage of said sieve drum means.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the baffle means include shutter plates so that the entire perforated conveying surface of the sieve drum means can be subjected to the gaseous treatment medium upon stoppage of said sieve drum means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a blower means is associated with the perforated surface of the sieve drum means for blowing fresh air against the materIal being treated which is resting on the conveying surface.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein tensioning means are associated with the surface of the sieve drum means for holding the material in a tentered condition while it is being conveyed around the sieve drum means.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sieve drum means are disposed in a treatment housing containing additional heating means in the circulation path of the treatment medium.
 10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the material being treated is introduced to and discharged from the same side of the sieve drum means and the stationary baffle means includes a small baffle means between said small portions of the conveying surface at the inlet and discharge side of said sieve drum means.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein outlet means is provided with a deflector roller which conveys the treated material to a plating device.
 12. An apparatus for processing lengths of textile material which comprises at least one rotating sieve drum means having a perforated conveying surface, fan means associated with the sieve drum means for subjecting said sieve drum means to a gaseous treatment medium under a suction draft whereby said gaseous treatment medium is drawn through said perforated conveying surface, inlet means for introducing the wet textile material to be treated to the sieve drum means, said suction draft holding said wet textile material against said perforated conveying surface, at least one stationary baffle means disposed inside the sieve drum means for interrupting the gaseous treatment medium at at least one portion of the sieve drum means, a plurality of infrared radiator heating means operatively associated with said baffle means and surrounding the outside of at least one of the sieve drum means at that one portion of its surface which is covered with the material being treated whereby a layer of evaporated vapor is formed between the textile material and said one portion of the perforated surface where the treatment medium is interrupted, a plurality of movable baffle means concentrically positioned around and extending a distance from the perforated surface of the sieve drum means, said movable baffle means being disposed between the surface of the sieve drum means and the infrared radiator heating means to prevent radiant heating of said textile material upon stoppage of said sieve drum means and outlet means for removing the material being treated from the sieve drum means.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the moveable baffle means are staggered with respect to the infrared radiator means and control means are provided for rotating said baffle means in front of said infrared radiator means.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said control means also turns off the infrared radiator means.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the moveable baffle means are disposed directly in front of the infrared radiator means and control means are provided for pivoting said baffle means, in place, from an open to a close position and vice versa.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the stationary baffle means interrupts the treatment medium over a substantial surface of the sieve drum means.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein more than one sieve drum means is used and only the first sieve drum is provided with infrared radiator means, the remaining sieve drum means being subjected to a suction draft or a positive pressure.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein all of the sieve drum means are provided with infrared radiator means, said infrared radiator means being divided into individual groups and means are provided for separately switching said individual groups on and off.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sieve drum means are provided with a wire mesh.
 20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sieve drum means are disposed in a steam-tight treatment chamber and means are provided for producing and maintaining a steam atmosphere.
 21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein baffle means are provided at the back side of the infrared radiator means for directing the heat eminating from said side toward the sieve drum surface. 